Labour's Daniel Griffiths Responds to Ten Questions Posed by Tonbridge People - What do YOU Think?

The Labour candidate Daniel Griffiths has responded to the top ten pre-election questions posed by Tonbridge People.

Here are his answers:

DANIEL GRIFFITHS RESPONSES TO THE TEN QUESTIONS

1.CAN YOU GUARANTEE A GRAMMAR SCHOOL PLACE FOR EVERY CHILD WHO PASSES THE 11 PLUS?

First, the day-to-day running of the local education system is matter for Kent County Council – not Parliament.  The current problems in West Kent are not due to a lack of places, rather that KCC allows children from Sussex, Surrey and London to take our children’s places.  If elected, I will demand an enquiry into the way that Kent runs its secondary school system and, in particular, whether – as many suspect – selection at 11 + is not in the best interests of ALL the children of Kent.

2.WHAT WILL YOU DO TO IMPROVE OUR HOSPITALS?

First, we should be grateful that the Labour Government has funded the state of the art hospital at Pembury which will enable us to close the outdated Kent and Sussex Hospital and provide a much higher standard of care for the people of West Kent.  I am concerned that public transport to the new hospital is currently not up to standard and I will make it my priority to ensure that these are of a standard matching the new hospital’s facilities.

3.WILL BIN COLLECTIONS, LIBRARY SERVICES AND STREET CLEANING BE CUT OR IMPROVED?

These services are maintained by the County Council and the Borough Council and not by the Government.  I believe that the local waste collection services run by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council are excellent and lead the way in recycling – as pioneered by the Liberal-Labour coalition when it was in charge. I believe that libraries provide a much-needed service, especially in the rural areas and I would be concerned if they – along with street cleaning come under threat through cuts.

4.WHAT WILL YOU DO TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S SERV ICES IN TONBRIDGE?

Again, children’s’ service are the responsibility of Kent County Council.  I would like to see the standards of these services raised nationally and not subject to any cuts, whatever the state of the economy.

5.WILL PETROL PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE?

If I knew this, I would be able to make a fortune on the futures market.  However, it is my guess that the recent rise will continue due to world market conditions.

6. WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT THE A21 WIDENING SCHEME?

A plan for dualling the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury is now out to consultation and is due to commence in 2012.  I believe that this is urgent, not least because of the high accident rate along this stretch and the fact that it services the new hospital site at Pembury.

7.WILL YOU IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND BOOST TRADE IN TONBRIDGE HIGH STREET?

There are many towns throughout the country that will benefit from Labour’s handling of the current financial crisis brought about by the irresponsible behaviourof some banks.  Under the careful stewardship of the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, we are gradually pulling out of the recession.  Full recovery will take some time yet and must not be threatened by ill-thought-out cuts to public services proposed by the Conservatives.

8 WHY IS IT WORTH VOTING FOR YOU?

I am young and energetic and support a party which has brought prosperity over the last thirteen years and has the right policies to get Britain back on track.

9. WHAT ARE YOUR THREE BIG PROMISES AND WILL YOU KEEP THEM?

(i) Labour will secure the recovery – we fought back, with tough action to stabilise the banking system and secure the economy.

(ii) Labour will always support the National Health Service – we created it and we’ll always cherish it.

(iii) Labour will secure your children’s education – we promised and we delivered.

And, yes, I always keep my promises!

10. WILL YOU MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF TONBRIDGE AFTER YOU’VE BEEN VOTED IN - OR WILL NOBODY RECOGNISE YOU?

Yes, I’ll be available – and I’ll make sure that no-one misses me.

Thank you Daniel - and Tonbridge People, please tell us what you think of Daniel Griffiths' answers.